Tsar Peter III of Russia, who ruled for just six months before he was overthrown by his wife Catherine the Great, had a strange aversion to wife sex. Peter, affectionately known as Pyotr Fyodorovich, married Princess Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst in 1745. However, Peter apparently found his bride repulsive and avoided having intimate relations with her. Instead, the tsar preferred the company of his toy soldiers, often playing with them for hours in bed. It is said that Peter found sleeping with his wife a daunting task, preferring instead to indulge in his childlike pastimes. This is not the first time a ruler has suffered from emotional turmoil concerning sexual intimacy, but it remains one of the more peculiar anecdotes in the annals of history.
King Edward VII, also known as Albert Edward, was a notorious lothario who apparently had a large libido. The future King Edward VII of England is rumored to have commissioned a golden love seat with knee pads and stirrups, designed exclusively for his amorous endeavors. In addition, King Edward VII was quite partial to bathing with prostitutes while consuming Champagne. Edward’s indiscretions contributed substantially to his enormous reputation as a flirt, with others speculating that he may have fathered as many as 11 illegitimate babies. In Queen Victoria’s day, adultery was a criminal offense, albeit one that was not always strictly enforced. It’s worth mentioning that being a king had its own set of privileges.
Martin Luther, the Protestant Reformer, had an unusual and disagreeable gastrointestinal condition. Luther’s detractors claimed he was prone to constipation, often spending hours on the toilet. It is said that he would sometimes use the bathroom as many as 30 times in a single day, seemingly unable to alleviate his discomfort. Luther, who is frequently portrayed as a wise and gentle church reformer, also had his fair share of personal challenges.
Adolf Hitler, who led Germany into World War II, was known for his love of animals. Contrary to what one might think, Hitler was an animal lover. He not only had a pet dog of his own but also passed strict animal welfare laws during his tenure as Chancellor. Hitler’s propaganda machine frequently featured pictures of him together with his St. Bernard, Blondi. In a remarkable and possibly ironic twist, Blondi wasodot to make a Nazi Officer’s escape from Berchtesgaden during the final days of the war.
Lastly, King Edward II of England is the subject of one of history’s most popular legends. Reports suggest that Edward II was murdered by having a red-hot poker inserted into his rectum. While there is no definitive evidence to support this irreverent tale, it has nevertheless become intrinsic to English history’s lexicon. Edward II has been cast as the unfortunate victim of deception, with many people speculating that he was a homosexual. Some even suggest that such allegations provided convenient cover for his accusers, who were eager to depose Edward and replace him with his more cooperative son.
